Rosalind Hayes moved to the Skye Canyon community in the northwest valley more than a year ago with the hope of finding a safe and welcoming place to call home. She found the neighbourhood appealing, appreciating its modern design and sense of security. “It is a nice neighbourhood, it is fairly new, and it is safe,” Hayes says.

That sense of safety has begun to change since she learned that Clearway Energy Group intends to construct a 43-acre lithium-ion battery storage facility within close proximity to her home. The proposed project would include a facility with a capacity of up to 400 MW, raising questions among Hayes and several of her neighbours about the potential risks to their community.

Fear of Fire and Escalation

Hayes expresses her concern clearly. She worries about the possibility of an accident and the proximity of the facility to her residence. “I do not want to live near a facility where I feel like it could blow up at any time,” she says.

Her concerns are shared by other residents. Jeff Siekmeier highlights the implications for emergency response in the area. “It poses a health question for everybody. The closest responding station to that would be station 46, which is out in Skye Canyon. It has only one engine and one EMS unit,” he explains.

Recent incidents involving lithium-ion batteries have added weight to these concerns. A fire at the Townsite Solar facility in Boulder City involved two Tesla Megapack units. In July 2024, a semi-truck carrying lithium batteries crashed near Baker, California, causing traffic disruptions along I-15 for several days. Such events make Hayes and Siekmeier apprehensive about living so close to a large-scale energy installation.

Clearway Responds: Reliability and Energy Support

Clearway Energy Group presents a different perspective on the project. The company states that the facility will enhance grid reliability and stabilise power costs for homes and businesses in Las Vegas. Senior Director Louis Feldman explains that the system is designed to store excess power when demand is low and distribute it during peak periods. “It provides low-cost energy by filling the batteries with solar resources during the day and dispatching energy to communities in the evenings,” Feldman says.

The company also emphasises that the proposed site is strategically positioned next to the NV Energy Northwest Substation and planned transmission expansions. The location has been used for energy infrastructure previously, which the company believes makes it suitable for the project.

Safety First: Design and Fire-Protection Measures

Addressing the safety concerns, Feldman details the measures being implemented. The facility will use Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, known for their thermal stability. Batteries will be housed in modular, container-based enclosures rather than warehouse-style units, reducing the risk of issues spreading between cells. Additional safety features include remote shut-off capabilities, continuous monitoring, and early coordination with the local fire department.

Clearway emphasises full compliance with applicable energy system codes and standards. The company highlights training programs, emergency response planning, and measures focused on community safety as key priorities in the facility’s design and operation.

Residents Remain Unconvinced

Despite these reassurances, Hayes and her neighbours remain apprehensive about the risks associated with placing a large industrial facility near a residential area. “If they can move the project somewhere else, that would be great, away from residents because it is a huge risk,” Hayes says.

Their concerns reflect a broader challenge in balancing clean-energy initiatives with local community perspectives. On one hand, the facility promises reliable energy and lower costs. On the other hand, it represents a major industrial installation in the midst of a neighbourhood designed for family living.

What Comes Next

Clearway Energy Group plans to present the project to the City of Las Vegas Planning Commission on January 13 for review. This process will involve assessing community feedback, zoning approvals, safety measures, and design specifications. For residents like Hayes and Siekmeier, the coming months will be pivotal in determining whether their sense of security can be restored or if they will live next to a development that continues to raise concern.